Heat Draw: Billabong Pipe Masters

Having been sidelined by injuries for the majority of the season, John John Florence, Kelly Slater and Caio Ibelli are currently in the draw for the last event of the year - the Billabong Pipe Masters, set to kick off December 8th and run through the 20th.

When returning from injury the situations are subject to change, but this would mark the first time all three have been in a CT event together during the 2018 season.

Adriano de Souza is out of the event due to a knee injury he sustained at the MEO Rip Curl Pro earlier this month. Brazilian Miguel Pupo will take his place in Round 1, Heat 2.

Gabriel Medina en route to his 2014 World Title.WSL / Laurent Masurel

Two Wildcard spots will be awarded based off of the local Trials event prior to the official competition. The Trial is a qualifying event that takes place in advance of the the Pipe Masters, giving a shot to local talent and pipe specialists to compete against the worlds best.

The Title will come down to Pipe - but with the return of a few key players, upsets are likely.

If Medina finishes 1st or 2nd, he will win his second World Title. Only if Medina finishes 3rd or worse will Toledo or Wilson have a shot. If Medina finishes 3rd, one of them needs to win the event in order to win the Title. And if Medina finishes 5th or worse, Toledo or Wilson need to finish 1st or 2nd to claim the Title.

John Florence at Backdoor during his 2017 World Title run.WSL / Kelly Cestari